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Namibia eyes green hydrogen as economic catalyst
A vast hydrogen production facility planned for Namibia's Tsau ǁKhaeb National Park could transform the nation into a global green energy exporter, but conservationists warn of irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems.
Government's green energy ambitions
Namibia's government is pushing forward with plans to become a leading producer of green hydrogen, a clean fuel that emits only water when burned. The project, led by Hyphen-a joint venture involving Germany's Enertrag-aims to leverage the country's abundant solar and wind resources to produce hydrogen competitively at scale.
Green hydrogen is created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy, unlike conventional methods that rely on fossil fuels. The fuel has applications in refining, chemical production, and steelmaking.
Controversy over national park site
The proposed development would occupy part of Tsau ǁKhaeb National Park, a 26,000-square-kilometer protected area established in 2004. Formerly known as the Sperrgebiet (German for "Restricted Area"), the region was off-limits during colonial-era diamond mining, allowing its unique biodiversity to thrive undisturbed.
The Namibian Chamber of the Environment (NCE) has criticized the project, arguing it could push rare species-including drought-adapted succulents and endangered African penguins-toward extinction. NCE head Chris Brown accused industrialized nations like Germany of hypocrisy, stating they would never permit similar industrialization in their own protected areas.
"The Germans would never allow their top parks to be turned into industrial sites. But they seem quite happy to offshore the risk and biodiversity impacts to Namibia. We find that totally unacceptable."
Chris Brown, Namibian Chamber of the Environment
Ecological and cultural concerns
The coastal stretch earmarked for the project falls within the Namibian Islands' Marine Protected Area, home to critically endangered African penguins. The Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds (Namcob) warns that port expansions near Lüderitz could disrupt marine ecosystems vital to these birds.
Local activists also highlight the cultural significance of Shark Island, a former German colonial concentration camp where thousands of Nama and Herero people perished between 1904 and 1908. Activist Luciel Adams emphasized the need for respectful engagement with communities tied to the site's traumatic history.
Economic promises and skepticism
Hyphen estimates the $10 billion project will create 15,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent roles, addressing Namibia's 44% youth unemployment rate. The government holds a 24% stake in the venture, which aims to produce 3.75 gigawatts of renewable electricity by 2028-enough to power nearly 400 million LED bulbs.
However, some residents remain skeptical. Youth activist Junior Mutaleni questioned the quality of promised jobs, while others, like former Lüderitz mayor Phil Balhao, argue the town desperately needs investment after decades of isolation.
"It would really unlock Lüderitz and the south of Namibia massively. We're ready to adapt and move on to whatever is next."
Phil Balhao, former mayor of Lüderitz
Balancing development and conservation
Hyphen claims it is minimizing ecological disruption by avoiding sensitive areas and conducting impact assessments. Toni Beukes, the company's head of environment and governance, defended the park's selection, citing its unmatched wind and solar resources as key to global competitiveness.
Namibia has already launched smaller green hydrogen projects, such as the HyIron plant, which produces fossil-free iron for steelmaking. The final investment decision on Hyphen's mega-project is expected by late 2026.
